Frisco ISD superintendent to retire after 44 years; talks educational shifts, new district programs stabbing incident

“Forty-four years is a long time, and my body feels like I’ve been doing something for 44 years,” Superintendent Mike Waldrip said.

FRISCO, Texas — One of the largest school districts in Texas is preparing for a major leadership change. Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip has announced his retirement, marking the end of a 44-year career in education.

“A lot of my colleagues who have done it told me, ‘you’ll know when it’s time,’” Waldrip said. “No particular reason, you just think, well, it’s probably time.”

Waldrip decided before this school year that it would be his last. 

“Forty-four years is a long time, and my body feels like I’ve been doing something for 44 years,” Waldrip said, laughing.

During that time, North Texas has seen a wave of superintendent retirements, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic — a period Waldrip called one of the most challenging of his career. 

“Half the students wanted to come in person and half wanted to be online,” he said. “Those were challenging times.”

Challenges continue to evolve with Texas moving toward a school voucher system. Waldrip said he believes it could dramatically reshape public education. 

“I think that competitive market is going to completely change the face of public education,” he said. “You’ll see us operating more like private sector business.”

In response, Frisco ISD has launched new initiatives like Access Frisco, an open-enrollment program allowing nonresidents to attend the district, and Frisco Flex, a virtual option for high school students. 

“At the end of the day, if we get more students, we get more money, and if we lose students, we lose money,” Waldrip said.

Once the fastest-growing district in the country, Frisco ISD has seen enrollment flatten and then decline over the past few years. 

“If the decline continues, then this school district will have to make some decisions about closing some of the campuses,” Waldrip said. 

The superintendent said the significant decline can be seen over the last two years.

The district already voted to close aging Staley Middle School, and earlier this year faced tragedy when a student was killed and another arrested after a stabbing at a track meet.

Karmelo Anthony is accused of murder in the death of Austin Metcalf.

“If you were to ask any superintendent in the state, that’s probably their worst nightmare,” he said. “It will weigh on me for the rest of my life.”

Waldrip began teaching biology and coaching in Victoria, Texas in 1982. Now, after four decades in classrooms and leadership, he’s stepping away as Frisco ISD — and public education itself — continues to evolve.